*   _    ■■•<;; '.-i 


'!Ca*r*-)iV^J-i«!*i^' 


The    I»ropeirty 

OK    THE 


IliPiiiiT  ClilEElTmilST 

BARTON"  SQUARE,  SALEM. 


DEPOSITED 


LIBRARY^ 


—  OF    THE —  JUC 

ESSEX    INSTITUTE.       ,     ' 


THE 


LANGUAGE  OF   SCRIPTURE 


RESPECTING 


THE  SAVIOR, 


IN  RELATION 


\o  ^0^,  iU  ^<M^x^ 


BY  A  LAYMAN. 


We  have  seen  and  do  testify  that  the  Tather  sent  the  Son  to  be  the  Savior 
j1  the  world.  St.  John. 


BOSTON : 

PRINTED  FOB  THE  AUTHOR,  BY  T,  G.  BANGS, 

J\ro.7»  State-Street. 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  matter  of  regret  with  many  sincere  christians,  that  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity  should  ever  be  a  topic  of  controversy  or  dis- 
cussion. They  consider  it  a  mysterious  subject,  difficult  fully  to 
explain  or  comprehend,  and  of  very  little  practical  eflFect.  And 
as  theological  disputes  are  often  productive  of  bitterness  and  ali- 
enation, rather  than  of  elucidation  of  scripture,  or  of  the  convic- 
tion of  the  disputants,  they  are  ready  to  coudemn  every  thing  of 
a  controversial  nature. 

It  is  certainly  to  be  lamented,  that  christians  (however  they 
may  differ  in  opinion  on  speculative  subjects,)  should  dispute 
with  bitterness  and  ill  will,  or  rashly  and  severely  condemn  all 
who  cannot  subscribe  to  their  particular  creeds.  But  when  dis- 
cussions of  this  soft  are  conducted  with  candor,  and  lead  people 
to  a  more  careful  perusal  of  the  Bible,  the  repository  of  divine 
truths,  they  are  rather  to  be  encouraged,  than  condemned. 

It  is  evidently  important,  that,  as  we  have  the  word  of  God  in 
our  hands,  we  should  study  it  for  ourselves,  and  see  whether  the 
doctrines  taught  us,  by  this  or  the  other  theologian,   be  true. 

We  should  endeavor  to  learn  what  the  Scriptures  really  teack 
concerning  Jesus  Christ  our  Savior.  And  it  is  to  the  revealed 
will  of  God  only,  that  we  should  repair  for  light  and  evidence 
on  this  subject.  This  must  be  our  guide  and  directory  in  forming 
our  religious  opinions. 

The  few  remarks  here  submitted  to  the  pablic  were  made  upon 
reading  some  late  pamphlets  on  the  character  and  nature  of  Christ 
in  relation  to  God.  They  were  suggested  by  an  examination  of 
the  inspired  volume,  by  one  not  at  all  engaged  to  build  up  any 
particular  sect ;  and  it  is  humbly  hoped,  they  will  prove  useful 
to  the  sincere  christian,  who  calls  no  man  Master  but  Christ, 
and  is  anxious  only  that  his  opinions  be  founded  in  and  supported 
by  the  Bible. 


iv  PREFACE. 

As  the  representation  here  given  is  not  conformable  either  to  the 
Trinitarian  or  Socinian  system,  our  statement  will  probably  be  rejec- 
ted by  such  as  adhere  strictly  to  eitlier  of  those  creeds.  We  wish 
to  oftend  neither.  Nor  do  we  vainly  pretend  to  offer  any  really 
new  view  of  the  subject.  We  have  drawn  from  the  Bible  only  : 
and  have  attempted  to  give  the  obvious  and  uniform  meaning  of 
Scripture.  If  we  have  not  proposed  any  scheme  as  precisely  and 
positively  correct,  it  is  because  we  are  satisfied  the  language  of 
revelation  is  such  and  so  various  on  this  subject,  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult, unless  one  is  very  dogmatical  and  vain,  to  give  a  concise 
opinion  in  the  words  of  human  wisdom. 

It  is  but  justice  to  observe,  that  the  Unitarians  are  catholic 
in  their  temper,  and  ready  to  allow  to  every  one  the  privilege 
of  interpreting  Scripture  for  himself;  while  the  Trinitarians 
are  generally  intolerant  and  exclusive,  (yet,  no  doubt  sincere,)  and 
very  forward  to  censure  and  anathematise  all  who  differ  from 
their  particular  formula  of  failh. 

Boston,  Jliigust  1,  1815. 


THE    LdJYGUJGE  OF    SCRIPTURE   RESTECTIXG 
THE  SAVIOR. 


THE  inspired  Scriptures  teach  us  that  there  is  one 
God.  Indeed,  they  repeatedly  and  explicitly  declare, 
that  there  is  only  one.  This  is  a  distinguishing  doctrine 
of  revelation.  It  was  because  the  world  was  given  to 
idolatry,  and  believed  in  and  worshipped  many  gods, 
that  Jehovaht  the  true  God,  was  pleased  to  give  special 
instructions  and  revelations  to  mankind.  It  was  to 
preserve  in  the  world  a  knowledge  and  belief  of  himself, 
as  the  only  hving  and  true  God,  (the  only  self-existent 
and  eternal  Being,)  that  he  called  Abraham,  and  made 
revelations  to  Moses  and  many  prophets  after  him,  for  the 
instruction  of  the  Jewish  people.  In  fact,  all  Jews  and 
Christians  profess  to  believe,  that  there  is  but  one  God  : 
they  do  not  hold  to  a  plurality  of  deities.  In  opposiiion 
to  Pagans  and  Polythcists,  they  will  promptly  say,  that 
they  believe  in  one  God,  the  source  of  all  power,  intelli- 
gence and  goodness. 

How,  then,  is  it,  that  any  portion  of  the  Christian 
world  profess  to  acknowledge  and  worship  three  Gods, 
or  three  persons  in  one  God,  or  a  Triune  God,  as  some 


express  themselves  ?  And  why  do  they  condemn  those 
who  cannot  believe  as  they  do  P  Why  censure  a  man, 
who  is  a  Unitaiian^  who  believes  in  the  Unity  of  the  di- 
vine nature,  but  yet  acknowledges  Jesus  Christ  to  have 
been  sent  by  God,  to  be  the  Savior  of  the  world — to 
have  been  inspired  and  constituted  to  be  the  redeemer 
of  ignorant,  sinful  men,  and  endowed  with  all  the  pow- 
ers and  quahties  necessary  for  such  an  office  ?  Is  it  not 
because  they  claim  to  be  the  only  correct  interpreters  of 
scripture  ?  Because  they  undertake  to  be  wise  above 
what  is  written  in  the  sacred  vokime  ?  And  take  upon 
them  to  pronounce,  that  the  Savior  must  be  God,  in 
order  to  perform  the  work  given  the  Savior  to  do  ?  And 
then  to  conclude,  that  the  scriptures  teach  such  a  doc- 
trine, and  torture  various  passages  to  justify  their  con- 
clusion ? 

The  Scriptures  are,  certainly,  not  inconsistent  with 
themselves.  One  passage,  or  writer,  does  not  contradict 
another.  If  then,  the  Scriptures  teach  clearly  and  fully, 
that  there  is  one  God,  and  onli/  one  God,  no  eletacheel 
passages,  however  difficult  or  mysterious,  can  teach  an 
opposite  doctrine. 

We  will  quote  a  few  passages,  which  must  satisfy 
every  rational  and  candid  mind,  that  the  Bible  plainly 
and  fully  asserts  the  doctrine  of  the  Unity  oj* Deity. 

'  Hear,  O  Israel,  Jehovah,  our  God,  is  one  Lord.' 
Deut.  vi.  4.  *  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none  like  me.' 
Isaiah  xlvi.  9.  '  Is  there  any  God  besiele  me  ?  Yea, 
there  is  no  God  :  I  know  not  any.'  Isaiah  xliv.  8. 
'  Hear,  O  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lorel — There 
is  but  one  God,  there  is  none  other  but  he.'  Mark  xii. 
29,32.  'That  they  may  know  thee,  the  o///y  true 
God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  sent.'  John  xvii.  3. 
'  Unto  us  there  is  but  one  God,  the  Father,  of  whom  are 


all  things — and  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  are  ail 
thing's.*  I  Cor.  viii.  6.  *  One  God  and  Father  of  all.' 
Ephesians  iv.  6.  *  For  there  is  ojie  God,  and  one  Medi- 
ator between  God  and  man.*  I  Tim.  2.  5.  *  Thou  be- 
lievcth  there  is  one  God  ;  thou  doest  well.*  James  2.  19. 
The  intelligent  reader  of  the  Bible  will  recollect 
numerous  other  texts  equally  clear  and  explicit.  But 
these  are  sufficient  for  our  purpose. 

We  will  not,  now,  merely  assert,  by  way  of  conclusion 
from  these  declarations  of  Scripture,  that  there  is  only  one 
God ;  and  that  Christ,  however  highly  endowed,  receiv- 
ed all  his  power  from  God,  and  is,  therefore,  necessarily, 
not  one  in  essence,  independence  and  self-existence  with 
the  Father  ;  but  distinct  from,  and  subordinate  to  him. 
Such  a  conclusion,  we  think,  however,  forces  itself  upon 
the  mind  of  every  reflecting  man,  who  considers  these, 
and  other  texts  of  Scripture,  and  is  not  unduly  biassed 
by  human  creeds  and  confessions  of  faith.  It  may  be 
proper  and  satisfactory,  therefore,  to  attend  to  the  declara- 
tions of  the  Bible,  respecting  the  Messiah,  or  Christ, 
whom  God  has  ''anointed  to  be  a  Savior  to  give  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins." 

Prophesying,  as  was  generally  supposed  by  the  Jews, 
of  the  Messiah,  Moses  says,  "  a  prophet  like*  unto 
me,  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  to  you :  him 
shall  ye  hear  in  all  things.*'  Indeed,  Peter  and  Stephen 
both  apply  this  prophecy  to  our  Lord.  '  Behold  my 
servant,  whom  I  uphold  ;  my  elect,  or  chosen,  in  whom 
my  soul  delighteth.  I  have  put  my  spirit  upon  him,  he 
shall  bring  forth  judgment  unto  the  Gentiles.'    Isaiah. 

*  In  some,  not  in  all  respects,  (nor  was  it  necessary  to  justify 
the  declaration  of  Moses,)  Christ  was  like  the  great  Jewish  proph- 
et, with  whom  God  talked  face  to  face,  and  who  he  appointed  the 
guide  and  leader  of  his  people  Israel. 


8 

"  The  Lord,  whom  ye  seek,  shall  suddenly  come  to  his 
temple  ;  even  the  messenger  of  the  Covenant,  in  whom 
ye  delight."     Malachi.     By  the  evangelical  writers,  his 
birth  is  represented  to  be  miraculous,  his  origin  divine,  and 
He  to  be  endowed  by  God  with  supernatural  gifts,  both 
of  knowledge  and  power,  that  proper  respect  and  obed- 
ience should  be  given  him,  as  to  one  appointed  to  be  the 
spiritual  Instructor  and  Redeemer  of  sinful  men.     This, 
they  inform  us,  was  the  declaration  of  the  angel — "  He 
shall  be  great,  and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Most 
High ;  and  God  will  give  him  the  throne  of  his  Father 
David."     "The  Holy  Spirit  will  come  upon  thee,  and 
t!ie  power  of  the  Most  High    will  overshadow  thee  : 
Therefore,  the  holy  thing,  which  shall  be  born  of  thee, 
shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God."     The  exclamation  of 
the  pious  Zachariah,  after  his  sight   was  restored,   was, 
"  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel ;  for  he  hath  visited 
and  redeemed  his  people,  and  hath  raised  up  an  horn 
of  salvation  for  us  in  the  house  of  his  servant  David." 
A  voice  came  from  heaven,  when  he  was  baptised,  and 
(on  another  occasion  also,)  saying,  "  Thou   art  my  be- 
loved Son  ;   in  thee  I  am  well  pleased."    Peter's  confes- 
sion  respecting  Christ,  and  of  which  he  approved  as 
correct,   was,   "  Thou   art  the  Chri'ot,  (the  Messiah,  or 
anointed,)  the  Son  of  the  living  God.*'     By  the  evangel- 
ist Mark,   tlie  phrase  is  a  little  varied  ;  but  we  may  be 
certain  is  the  same  in  meaning  and  effect.     As  related 
by  Mark,  Peter's  confession  was  simply,  "Thou  art  the 
Christ."     The  expressions,  we  must  conclude  are  sy- 
nonymous r^^and  that  Christ,  Messiah,  and  Son  of  God, 
all  imply    the  same,  and  are  descriptive  of  him,  whom 
God  sent  to  enlighten  and  save  the  world. 

When   the   Jewish   High    Priest   asked    our   Lord, 
w  hether  he  were  the  Messiah,  or  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 


9 

God,  he  acknowledged  and  confessed  that  he  was.  So 
also,  when  the  Jews  attempted  to  fasten  upon  hini  the 
charge  of  blasphemy,  as  though  he  had  pretended  to  be 
equal  to  God,  ^is.  reply  was,  that  he  claimed  to  be 
only  the  Son  of  God.  Martha's  declaration  was,  "1  be- 
lieve that  thou  art  the  Messiah  (or  Christ)  the  Son  of 
God,  who  was  to  come  into  the  world." 

After  our  I^^rd  was  raised  from  the  dead,  Peter  says 
of  him,  that  he  was  approved  of  God  by  miracles  and 
wonders  and  signs,  which  God  did  by  him.'*  Agais, 
*'  This  Jesus,  whom  ye  crucified,  God  has  raised  up, 
and  exalted  him  to  his  right  hand."  *'  Therefore,  let  all 
Israel  be  assured,  that  God  has  made  this  same  Jesus 
both  Lord  and  Christ."  God,  having  raised  up  his  Son, 
(or  Child)  Jesus,  sent  him  first  to  you  (Jews)  to  bless 
you,  by  turning  you  every  one  from  your  iniquities. 
The  God  of  our  fathers  hath  raised  up  Jesus,  whom  ye 
slew  and  hanged  on  a  tree — him,  God  hath  exalted  to 
his  right  hand,  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Savior,  to  give  repen- 
tance andremission  of  sins.  Against  the  Lord,  and  against 
his  Christ  (or  anointed)  the  rulers  and  kings  of  the  earth 
were  gathered  together  :  Of  a  truth  against  thy  holy 
child  Jesus,  whom  thou  has  anointed,  both  Herod,  and 
Pontius  Pilate,  with  the  Gentiles  and  the  people  of  Israel, 
were  gathered  to£*,ether."  The  confession  of  the  Eun- 
uch, was,  "  I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of 
God."  St.  Paul,  after  his  conversion,  declared,  "  That 
God  anointed  Jesus  of  Christ  wiih  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
with  power — and  testified  that  it  is  he  who  was  ordained 
of  God  to  be  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead."  He  also 
contended  with  the  unbelieving  Jews,  "that  he  was  the 
Christ,  (or  Messiah)  the  Son  of  God."  Again  he  says, 
"  of  this  man's  (David's)  seed  God  hath,  according  to 
his  promise,  raised  unto  Israel  a  Savior,  even  Jesus." 

3 


10 

"  Wc  declare  unto  you  glad  tidings,  even  that  the  prom- 
ise, vvhicli  was  made  unto  the  fathers,  God  has  fulfilled 
unto  us,  their  children,  in  that  he  has  raised  up  Jesus  ; 
as  it  is  written  in  the  second  psalm,  thou  art  my  Son,  this 
day  I  have  begotten  thee  :  And  through,  or  by  this  man 
is  preached  unto  you  the  forgivness  of  sins." 

These  passages  of  Scripture,  candidly  considered  by 
those  not  wedded  to  particular  systems  of  theology  and 
who  do  not  form  their  opinions  by  the  creeds  of  falli- 
ble men  , plainly  teach  that  there  is  but  one  God.  They 
fully  assert  the  Unity  of  the  Deity  :  and,  that  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  the  Messiah,  or  Christ,  who  is  our  Instructor, 
and  guide,  in  spiritual  things,  the  Teacher  of  the  glori- 
ous gospel  of  our  salvation,  was  constituted  and  sent  of 
God  for  these  purposes  :  That,  under  God,  he  is  our 
Savior  and  Redeemer — that  he  is  the  Mediator  between 
God  and  man  ;  our  Advocate  and  Intercessor  with  the 
Father  ;  that  through  his  mediation,  God  bestows  pardon 
and  salvation  on  sinful,  dying  men.  However  exalted 
the  powers  and  qualities  Christ  possessed,  it  is  evidently 
and  clearly  taught,  in  our  apprehension,  that  these  were 
confered  by  God,  who  appointed  him  to  be  the  Savior 
of  the  world. 

In  sofne  places,  indeed,  Christ  is  represented  as  exer- 
cising divine  jwwer.  But  these  are,  either  said  to  be 
communicated  to  him  by  God  for  the  great  purposes  of 
constituting-  him  the  Savior  of  mankind  ;  or  are  applied 
to  him  on  account  of  his  being  the  visible  Representa- 
tive and  Agent  of  the  Deity,  with  a  view  to  make  dis- 
plays of  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God.  Moses  was  a 
god  to  Pharaoh — Christ  had  all  power,  and  all  things 
were  subject  to  him,  and  all  things  were  made  by  him — 
yet  all  this  power  \wzis  given  him  by  God,to  constitute  him 
the  Savior,  and  to  enable  him  to  conyince  the  world  that 


11 

he  was  commissioned  and  assisted  by  God  ;  all  things 
were  put  in  subjection  to  him  by  the  Father,  who  was 
himself  excepted  from  this  subjection  ;  *'  I  can  of 
myself  do  nothing — I  give  eternal  life  to  those  whom 
God  has  given  me— I  lay  down  my  life  and  take 
it  again  ;  but  this  command,  or  power,  I  have  re- 
ceived of  the  Father — who  shall  sit  on  my  rigjit  hand^ 
is  no'  mine  to  give,  except  to  those  for  whom  it  is 
prepared." 

The  miraculous  power  posssessed  by  Christ  and 
other  prophets,  may  truly  be  said  to  be  divine^  as  it  was 
above  the  ability  of  man,  and  w.;b  given  immediately  by 
God.  To  Christ,  the  Messiah,  indeed,  the  Spirit  was 
given  without  measure.  He  is  exalted  to  be  a  Prince 
and  a  Savior,  and  placed  at  the  right  hand  of  heavenly 
power  and  majesty.  Yet  all  this  wisdom  and  ability  to 
save,  were  given  to  him.  It  is  expressly  and  plainly 
taught  that  all  were  communicated  to  hhn  by  God. 

It  is  an  argument  with  some,  we  are  aware,  that 
Christ  is  equal  to  God,  or  is  divine,  since  he  is  called 
the  Son  of  God.  But  such  a  conclusion  is,  by  no  means, 
necessary.  The  conclusion  most  clear  and  satisfactory, 
is,  that,  being  the  Son  of  God,  he  is  distinct  from,  and 
in  some  sense  inferior  to  him,  or  dependent  on  him.  It 
is  however  conceded,  that  this  appellation  implies,  that 
he  was  an  highly  exalted  Being,  and  endowed  with 
miraculous  and  even  superangelic  power.  Though  we 
contend  for  the  doctrine,  that  Jehovah,  our  God,  is  one 
Lord,  as  we  are  fully  pa*suaded  it  is  the  doctrine  of  the 
Bible.— Though  we  are  Unitarian,  we  are  not  Sociniin. 
We  are  unable  to  reconcile  the  doctrine  of  the  Sociman, 
as  well  as  the  Trinitarian,  with  various  passages  pf  sa- 
cred Scripture. 
That  many  passages  in  the  Bible,  which  speak  of  our 


in 

Savior,  arc  figurative,  and,  therefore,  not  to  have  a  strict 
and  literal  interpretation,  is  readily  admitted.  Nor  do 
wc  undertake  to  oblige  others  to  receive  our  construc- 
tions of  the  word  of  God.  The  true  Protestant  princi- 
ciplc  is,  that  every  one  search,  and  think,  and  believe 
for  himself.  "  To  his  own  master,  he  standeth  or 
falleth." 

The  Character  of  Christ,  the  Savior,  his  followers 
ought  to  endeavour  to  understand.  They  should  search 
his  gospel,  to  learn  v,  hat  is  said  of  his  dignity,  attributes 
and  povvwr  ;  as  well  as  to  ascertain  his  commands  and 
preceptffl  It  is  important,  that  we  believe  right,  and  that 
our  seijffmcnts  be  founded  in  truth.  Yet  correct  opin- 
ions on  till  subjects,  we  do  not  imagine  essentialio  piety 
and  virtue. 

Tl'C  writer  of  these  remarks  has  studied  Scripture 
much,  with  a  view  to  obtuin  correct,  precise  and  distinct 
ideas  respecting  the  character  of  the  Savior.  He  is  ready 
to  acknowledge,  that  the  subject  is  not  without  difficulty  ; 
and  he  hoj^^^s  not  to  be  rasii  or  dogmatical  in  giving  his 
opinion.  When  Christ  is  said  to  have  come  down  from 
heaven,  to  do  the  will  of  the  Father,  who  sent  him  ; 
when  he  is  said  to  be  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world,  and  to  be  the  beloved  and 
only  begotten  Son  of  God  ;  to  have  all  power  given 
him  ;  to  be  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Savior ;  to  be 
tlie  way,  the  truth  and  the  life  ;  to  have  power  given  him 
to  raise  us  up  Irom  the  grave  ;  and  to  be  appointed  the 
Judge  of  the  living  and  dead  ;  to  be  the  brightness  of 
the  Father's  glory  and  the  express  image  of  his  person  ; 
to  be  ordained  to  come  hereafter  in  the  glory  of  the  Deity 
with  all  the  holy  angels,  &c.  We  acknowledge  wc  can- 
not consider  these  passages  as  altogether  figurative  ; 
but  as   implying  and  teaching   that  Jesus  Christ,  our 


13 

Cord  and  Savior,  pre-existed,  and  had  power  and  glory 
with  God  before  this  world  was  formed :  That  he  is  greatly- 
superior  to  other  inspired  prophets,  and  to  various,  if  not 
to  all  orders  of  angelic  intelligences.  We  must,  how- 
ever, at  the  same  time  insist,  that  these  passages  even 
teach,  that  the  Savior  is  distinct  from  the  Father,  the 
self-existent  Deity,  and  received  all  his  powers  and  at- 
tributes from  him. 

That  he  is  called  the  Son  ofGody  implies  either  his 
miraculous  character,  his  being  endowed  with  power 
far  above  human,  to  enable  him  to  reveal  and  prove  the 
doctrines  of  pardon  and  immortality  ;  or,  his  being  of  a 
superangelic  nature,  possessing  greater  wisdom  and 
power  than  even  angels.  It,  by  no  means,  proves  that 
he  is  the  self- existent  God.  He  prayed  to  his  Father  in 
all  his  trials  and  afflictions.  He  constantly  referred  all 
his  powers  and  ability  to  him,  declaring,  that  he  came 
to  perform  the  work  and  reveal  the  doctrines,  which  he 
was  directed  by  God  to  perform  and  teach.  "  That 
holy  thing,"  said  the  angel  to  Mary,  "which  shall  be  born 
of  thee  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God,"  because  it  was  by 
the  immediate  power  and  spirit  of  God.  Two  of  the 
Apostles,  Peter  and  Paul  apply  this  appellation  to  him, 
("Son  of  God")  because  of  his  resurrection  from  the 
dead.  And  in  the  evangelical  history,  he  is  often  so 
denominated,  when  the  phrase  is  evidently  synonomous 
with  Christ  or  Messiah,  the  Savior,  who  came  with 
miraculous  powers  to  teach  and  redeem  mankind. 

In  several  places,  however,  the  Scriptures  speak  of 
Christ  in  still  more  exalted  terms.  By  several  of  the 
apostles  he  is  spoken  of  as  superior  to  the  angels,  and  to 
be  placed  above  all  principalities  and  powers,  whether 
on  earth  or  in  heaven.  But  in  all  these  instances,  he  is 
said  to  be  exalted  to,  or  placed  in  such  a  high  station,  and 
to  be  clothed  with  this  great  ability  by  God. 


It  is  also  the  opinion  of  sonie,  who,    we  presume, 
have  received  their  impressions  on  this  subject   from 
human  creeds,  that  Christ  must  be  God  ;  or  otherwise 
he  cannot  be  the  Savior  of  sinners.     Unless  he  were 
really  and  truly  God,  a  Being  of  divine  and  infinite  at- 
tributes, say  they,  he  could  not  make  atonement  for  sin  ; 
and,  therefore,   we  cannot  trust   in  him  for  salvation. 
But,  in  our  opinion,  this  is  conscriptural,  irrational,  gra- 
tuitous, sophistical.     The  apostle  John,  says,  "  we  testi- 
fy"— this  is  our  testimony,  our  preaching,  our  declara- 
tion— "  that  God  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  Savior  of  the 
world."     The  same    apostle,    in    his    gospel,  declares, 
"  that  God  so  loved   the   world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  (or  highly  dignified)  Son,  that  whoever  believ- 
cth  on  bim,  should  not  perish,  but  have  ever  lasting  life." 
The  apostle  Peter,  says,  after  the  resurrection  and  ascen- 
sion of  Christ,    "  God  hath  exalted  him  to  be  a  Prince 
and  a  Savior,  to  give  repentance  and  remission  of  sins." 
St.  Paul  says,    "being  justified  freely  by  God's  grace, 
by,  or  through  the  redemption  which  is  in  JeSus  Christ : 
whom  God  hath   appointed,  or  set  forth,  to  be  a  propi- 
tion."     "  By  God,"  he  says,  "  Christ  is  made  unto  us 
wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification  and  redemption. — 
Blessed  be   the   God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings 
in  heavenly  things  in  or  by  Christ  Jesus.*'     He  prays, 
''  that  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of 
glory,  may  give  to  them  (the  Ephesians)  the   spirit  of 
wisdom,"  ^c.    "Again,    "  according  to  the  power  of 
God,  who  raised  Christ  from  the  dead  and  set  him  at  his 
own  right  hand  in  heaven."     The  apostle  John,  declares, 
Jesus  Christ,  the  righteous  or  holy,  is  our  advocate  with 
"  the  Father  ;  that  he  is   the   propitiation  for  our  sins 
and  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world." 


is 

The  Bible,  we  admit  and  contend,  teaches,  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  our  Redeemer  and  Savior  ;  but,  that  he  is  so 
by  the  will  and  appointment  and  ordination  of  God : 
That  he  was  sent  by  God  and  endowed  with  qualities  and 
attributes  necessary  to  his  fulfilling  the  great  duties  of 
such  an  office.  But,  in  our  opinion,  the  Scriptures  say 
nothing  of  an  infinite  atonement.  They  say  nothing  of 
the  necessity  of  God  himself  suffering  and  dying  to  atone 
for  the  sins  of  men.  Nor  do  they  assert  that  God  has 
suffered.  On  the  contrary,  they  teach  what,  we  con- 
ceive evident  also  to  reason,  that  he  cannot  suffer,  and 
is  impassible.  But,  that  behig  essentially  propitious  and 
compassionate,  he  sent  his  Son  from  heaven  to  teach 
important  moral  truths  to  ignorant,  doubting  man  ;  to 
be  their  spiritual  guide  and  redeemer.  He  is  a  Prince 
and  a  Savior  to  give  repentance  and  remission  of  sins. 
He  is  the  captain,  or  leader,  of  cur  Salvation.  But  we 
read  that  he  is  so  by  the  ordination  and  grace  of  God. 
The  Deity  appointed  and  qualified  him  for  this  great 
work.  And  all  who  believe  in  him  as  the  Messiah,  all 
who  follow  and  obey  him,  all  who  turn  unto  and  trust  in 
God  by  him,  shall  be  saved.  "  By  him  ye  believe  in 
God,"  says  Peter,  I  Epis.  vii.  21,  "who  raised  him 
from  the  dead  and  gave  him  glory,  that  your  faith  and 
hope  might  be  in  God. " 

The  hope  and  trust  of  the  christian  are  in  God,  by 
Jesus  Christ  whom  he  has  sent,  and  whom  we  are  re- 
quired to  believe  and  obey,  because  he  is  a  divine  teach- 
er, appointed,  approved  and  assisted  by  the  Deity.  The 
christian  believes  in  Christ,  as  the  Son  of  God,  in  some 
high  and  peculiar  sense,  as  the  mediator  and  advocate 
with  the  Father,  as  the  messenger  and  dispenser  of  God's 
grace  to  the  world :  And  he  even  trusts  in  him  for  sal- 
vation, because  God  has  ordained  him  to  bestow  rich  and 


10 

spiritual  blessings.  His  faith,  hope  and  trust  are  ultimate- 
ly in  God,  (agreeably  to  the  above  declaration  of  Peter,) 
who  sent  Jesus  Christ  to  be  our  Savior,  has  revealed 
his  will  by  him,  and  appointed  him  the  Judge  of  the 
world. 

When  our  Savior  asked  Peter  what  was  his  opinion 
of  him,  he  replied,  "Thou  art  the  Christ,"  (the  anoint- 
ed) "  of  God  ;"  as  one  Evangelist  expresses  it ;  or,  ac- 
cording to  another,  "  Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
the  living  God."  There  is  no  express  declaration  in 
Scripture,  that  Christ  is  God  ;  or,  that  it  was  necessary 
God  himself  must  suffer  for  the  pardon  of  sin.  But  it 
plainly  and  fully  teaches,  that  the  Savior  was  sent  by 
God,  and  by  him  endowed  and  qualified  to  maintain 
this  high  and  glorious  character.  "  God  has  made  him 
a  Prince  and  a  Savior  to  give  repentance  and  remission 
of  si'is,"  is  the  declaration  of  Peter,  as  quoted  before. 
That  of  John  is  the  same  meaning :  "  We  have  seen 
and  do  testify,  that  God  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  Savior  of 
the  world;"  and  also  in  his  gospel,  "  God  so  loved  the 
world,  that  he  sent  his  only  begotten  Son,"  &:c.  St, 
Paul  says,  "  In  bringing  many  sons  into  glory,  God 
made  the  Captain  of  their  salvation  perfect  through  suf- 
ferings." 

God  is  essentially  gracious  and  merciful,  and  ready 
to  forgive  the  sincerely  penitent.  This  is  the  language 
both  of  reason  and  revelation.  It  is  for  him,  not  for 
man,  to  say,  on  what  terms  and  in  what  way  he  will 
pardon  sin.  To  say,  that  infinite  atonement  and  satis- 
faction must  be  made  before  he  will  forgive  the  peni- 
tent, is  dishonorable  to  the  Deity  and  contrary  to  Scrip- 
ture. God  is  not  made  propitious  and  merciful  by  the 
acts  or  doings  of  any  other.  He  is  gracious  and  pro- 
pitious originally,  and  in  and  of  himself.     And  all  the 


17 

good  conferred  on  man,  either  immediately,  or  through 
the  medium  of  others,  is  the  effect  and  fruit  of  his  di- 
vine and  infinite  benevolence.  The  passages  just  now 
quoted,  clearly  teach  and  fully  prove  this  doctrine. 

Angels  are  said  to  be  ministering  spirits  for  good  to 
man.  Prophets  and  holy  men  have  often  been  raised 
up  and  qualified  to  bestow  favors  upon  their  fellow  men. 
Je^us  Christ  is  the  great  Dispensor  of  Gospel  blessings. 
It  is  in  some  sense,  (we  pretend  not  to  decide  precisely 
in  what  sense)  in  consideration  of  his  humiliation,  in- 
structions, sufferings  and  death,  that  we  receive  spirit- 
ual favors,  and  are  to  be  made  partakers  of  a  divine 
nature,  and  of  immortality. 

That  we  are  benefited  by  his  instructions,  miracles 
and  example,  is  very  obvious.  And  that  his  sufferings 
constitute  a  part  of  his  office  as  Mediator  and  Savior,  is 
repeatedly  declared  in  Scripture.  Yet  not  so,  as  to 
make  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God  of  none  effect  ;  or 
our  repentance  and  holiness  unnecessary.  This,  we 
acknowledge,  a  difficult  subject  fully  to  explain  :  and, 
therefore,  contend  that  charity  should  be  exercised  to- 
wiird  those  who  differ  from  us  on  this  point.  We  only 
contend  for  the  Protestant  right  of  construing  the  gospel 
for  ourselves  ;  and  censure  those  only,  who  assume  a 
spirit  of  dogmatism  and  infallability,  and  who  condemn 
as  infidels  all  who  do  not  admit  their  interpretations. 

The  question  is,  not  what  we  may  suppose  the  Deity 
must  do,  or  would  do,  to  atone  for  sin  and  provide  sal- 
vation for  mankind  ;  but,  simply,  what  does  the  Bible 
teach  he  has  done  for  this  purpose.  Now,  we  do  not 
find  it  asserted  in  Scripture,  that  it  was  necessary  for  one 
infinite  Being  to  make  atonement  to  and  satisfy  the  jus- 
tice of  another  infinite  Being.  But  we  do  find  it  there 
declared,  that  God  in  the  early  ages  of  the  world  prom- 

8 


18 

iscdto  sendjor  raise  up,  someone  to  teach  his  will,  to  make 
known  his  purposes  of  grace,  arid  to  dispense  spiritual 
and  immortal  blessings  to  man.  And,  that,  at  a  time 
suitable  to  his  infinite  wisdom  he  did  send  the  Mesbi.ih, 
called  his  Son,  endowed  with  miraculous  and  even  di- 
vine power,  as  well  as  knowledge  of  heavenly  and  divine 
truths,  to  be  the  Savior  of  the  world — "  That  in  bring- 
in<^  many  children  to  glory,  he  made  the  Captain  of  their 
salvation  perfect  through  sufferings" — "  That  it  behov- 
ed Christ  to  suffer  and  to  rise  again  from  -the  dead,  and 
to  enter  into  hi»  glory."  B.  t  all  this  was  done  by  the 
appointment,  the  direction,  the  power  and  grace  of  God. 

But  \rc  there  not  some  passages  of  Scripture,  it  mriy 
be  enquired,  which  represent  Christ  to  be  God  ?  There 
are  some,  perhaps,  which,  at  first  view,  appear  to  express 
this  idea.  We  read  concerning  Chris;,  in  Isaiah — "Un- 
to us  a  child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given,  and  the  gov- 
ernment shall  be  upon  his  shoulders  ;  and  his  name  shall 
be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
everk'sting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Pence."  All  critics 
agree  tht't  this  passage  mai/,  and  most,  that  it  ought^  to 
be  differently  translated.  The  original  phrase,  "  ever- 
lasting Father,"  should  be  rendered,  the  Father,  Author, 
or  head,  of  the  age,  or  dispensation,  viz.  the  gospel  dis- 
pensation. We  apprehend  the  same  is  meant,  when  it 
is  said,  "that  he  is  the  Captain  of  our  salvation  ;  the  Head 
of  the  church  ;  a  Prince  and  a  Savior  to  give  repentance 
ami  remission  of  sins;''  and,  that  the  gospel  age,  or 
kingdom  is  subjected  to  him,  and  not  to  men  or  angels. 

He  is  also  here  called  "  The  Mighty  God."  But  we 
know  that  the  term  God  is  often  applied,  in  the  Jewish 
Scriptures,  to  prophets  and  princes.  Moses  was  to  be  a 
God  to  Pharoah,  Inspired  men  and  civil  magistrates 
are  called  Gods  by  the  psalmist. 


<9 

It  should  be  observed  also,  that  this  text,  in  the  Greek 
version,  called  the  Septuagint,  is  very  different  frorri  the 
Hebrew.  The  Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testament, 
was  made  about  three  hundred  years  before  Christ,  and 
was  quoted  by  him  and  his  Apostles,  and  was  generally 
in  use  among  the  Jews  when  our  Lord  was  on  earth,  as 
well  as  before  and  after.  In  this  version,  the  above  cit- 
ed passage  of  Isaiah  is  as  follows,  "  His  name  is  called 
the  Messenger  of  the  Great  Council."  A  phrase  very 
similar  in  meaning  to  the  following  in  Malaehi,  *'  The 
Lord,  whom  ye  seek,  shall  suddenly  come,  even  the 
Messc?i!^er  of  the  Covenant,  in  whom  ye  delight." 

In  the  first  chapter  of  Hebrews,  where  Christ  is  spok- 
en of  in  the  most  lofty  and  exalted  terms,  it  is  abundant- 
ly evident,  that  he  is  still  mentioned  as  the  representative 
or  agent,  or  Son  of  God,  to  enlighten  the  world,  and  to 
dispense  truth,  and  grace,  and  salvation  from  God  to  men. 
"  God,  who,  at  sundry  times,  and  in  divers  manners, 
spake  to  the  fathers  by  the  prophets,  hath,  in  these  latter 
days,   spoken  unto  us,  by  his  Son,  whom  he  hath  ap- 
pointed heir  of  all  things,  by  whom  also  he  made  the 
worlds  ;    who  being  the  brightness  of  his  glory  and  the 
express  image  of  his  person  (or  character)  and  uphold- 
ing all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,   when  he  had 
by  himself  purged  our  sins,  sat  dowii  on  the  right  hand 
of  the  Majesty  on  high  ;  being  made  as  much  better  (or 
higher)    than   the  Angels,  as  he  hath  by  inheritance  ob- 
tained a  more  excellent  name  than  they.     Unto  the  Son, 
he  saith.  Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  forever  and  ever  (or  God 
is  thy  throne  forever  and  ever.)     Thou  hast  loved  right- 
eousness and  hated  iniquity  ;    therefore,  God,  even  thy 
God,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness  above 
thy  fellows.    We  sec  Jesus  crowned  with  glory  and  hon- 
or, who  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  Angels  by  the 


.     20 

buflcrings  oi  death,  that  he  might  by  the  grace  of  God, 
tabte  of  death  for  all  men.  Wherefore,  holy  brethren, 
partakers  of  the  heavenly  calling,  consider  the  Apostle 
and  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  Jesus  Christ,  who 
was  faithful  to  him  who  appointed  him.  Seeing  then, 
that  wc  have  a  great  High  Priest,  who  is  passed  into  the 
Heavens,  even  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  let  ns  hold  fast 
our  profession.  Wherefore  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  utter- 
most all  who  come  to  God  bv  him.  Now  of  the  thino-s 
of  which  we  have  spoken,  this  is  the  sum  ;  we  have 
such  an  High  Priest,  vrho  is  set  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  of  the  Majesty  in  the  Heavens."  Again,  in 
I.  Cor.  XV.  24,  &:c.  "  Then  cometh  the  end,  when  he 
shall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God,  even  the 
leather  ;  when  he  shall  have  put  down  all  rule,  and  all 
authority  and  all  power.  For  he  must  reign,  till  he  has 
put  all  enemies  under  his  feet.  The  last  enemy  which 
shall  be  destroyed  is  death.  For  he  (God)  hath  put  all 
things  ui;dcr  his  feet.  But  when  he  saitli,  all  things  are 
put  under  him,  it  is  manifest  he  is  excepted,  who  put 
all  things  under  him.  And  when  all  things  shall  be 
subdued  under  him,  then  shall  the  Son  also  be  subject 
lo  him  who  put  all  things  under  him,  that  God  may  be 
ull  in  all."  Again — ''  God  has  highly  exalted  him,  and 
givtn  hiim  a  name  above  every  name,  that,  at  (or  in) 
the  name  of  Jesus,  every  knee  should  bow,  and  every 
tongue  confess,  that  he  is  Lord  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father.  For  this  cause,  I  bow  my  knees  unto  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ — One  Lord — one  God 
and  Fatlicr  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and 
in  you  all." 

But  it  is  unnecessary  to  multiply  these  quotations. 
And  respecting  them,  it  is  obvious  to  remark,  that  high 
and  exalted  iis  they  represent  Christ,  when   compared 


@1 

to  prophets,  or  even  angels,  they  plahily  assert  his  sub- 
jection to  God,  the  Father,  his  appointment  and  quaUfi- 
cation  by  God  to  be  the  Savior  of  men,  the  Captain 
of  our  salvation,  the  Dispensor  of  pardon,  grace  and 
eternal  life. 

In  these  passages,  which  speak  of  our  Lord  in  such 
exalted  terms,  it  is  said  that  God  has  spoken  to  the  world 
hy  him — not  that  he  is  God,  but,  thut  he  is  the  brightness 
of  his  glory  ^  and  express  image  of  his  person  ;  (in  ano- 
ther passage,  he  is  said  to  be  the  image  of  the  invisible 
God  J  God  is  said  to  be  the  supporter  of  his  throne,  of 
his  religion,  his  cause,  or  kingdom.  He  is  said  to  be 
heir  of  all  things,  yet  that  he  is  so  by  God's  appoint- 
ment :  By  God,  to  be  anointed  above  his  fellows — By 
the  grace  of  God  he  tasted  death  for  all  men  ;  and  God 
crowned  him  with  glory  and  power  :  He  is  styled  the 
High  Priest  of  our  profession,  and  said  to  be  faithful  to 
him  who  appointed  him  ;  and  is  said  to  be  set,  not  on 
the  throne  of  the  heavenly  majesty,  but  at  the  right  hand 
thereof.  He  is  to  reign  till  all  enemies  are  put  under  his 
feet ;  and  all  things,  it  is  said,  shall  be  put  under  him — • 
But  they  are  subjected  to  him  by  God  the  Father.  He 
is  said  to  have  put  all  things  under  him  ;  and,  that  when 
the  end  cometh,  Christ  will  deliver  up  the  kingdom  to 
the  Father. 

But  does  not  Paul,  in  his  epistle  to  the  Phillipians, 
speak  of  Christ  as  justly  claiming  an  equality  with  God  ? 
This  is  not  a  correct  translation  in  our  common  version 
of  the  Scriptures.  The  plain  meaning  of  the  apostle  is 
contrary  to  such  a  construction.  He  is  speaking  of  the 
humiliation  of  Christ  for  our  good,  and  says,  that  though 
Jesus  was  in  the  likeness  of  God,  (being  clothed  with 
miraculous  power  and  heavenly  wisdom,  to  prove  that  he 
was  the  messenger  or  Agent  of  the  Deitv  for  purposes 


23 

of  grace  and  salvation  to  men)  yet  he  did  not  claim  to  be 
ff^wfl/ Tm7/t  Oofi?,  (though  the  Jews  accused  him  of  this 
in  order  to  procure  his  death  ;)  but  made  himself  of  no 
reputation,  aud  submitted  to  poverty,  insult  and  con- 
tempt, and  was  obedient  (to  God)  even  unto  death  : 
Wherefore,  God  has  highly  exalted  him,  and  given  him 
a  name,  which  is  above  every  name.  * 

David,  also,  it  may  be  said,  calls  Christ  his  Lord. 
"  Jehovah  said  unto  my  Lord,"  &c.  This  we  think, 
he  might  justly  do,  without  believing  Christ  to  be  God. 
David  believed  in  a  Messiah  to  come — a  great  spiritual 
deliverer,  whose  kingdom  was  to  be  established  in  truth 
and  righteousness,  and  w^hich  was  to  be  given  him,  and 
supported  by  God.  He  might  justly  call  the  Messiah 
his  Lordy  as  he  was  to  be  the  Savior  of  Israel,  and  the 
dispensor  of  spiritual  and  immortal  blessings  to  the  world. 
The  meaning  is  probably  the  same  as  in  Hebrews — '*  To 
the  Son,  he  saith,  God  is  thy  throne  forever."  It  is  also 
evident  from  the  passage  in  Psalms,  that  David  did  not 
speak  of  Christ  as  the  Deity:  "Jehovah  said  unto  my 
Lord,  sit  thou  at  my  right  hand,  till  /  make  thine  ene- 
mies thy  footstool." 

It  is  unnecessary  to  speak  of  the  passage  in  I.  John, 
V.  7,  since  it  is  rejected  by  most  critics  as  an  interpola- 
tion ;  and  by  all  candid  men,  so  far  considered  doubtful 
as  not  to  be  quoted  with  a  view  to  decide  the  question. 

A  passage  in  Acts,  xx.  28,  which,  as  it  stands  in  the 
present  version  of  our  Bibles,  asserts,  that  God  suffered 
and  shed  his  blood,  is  different  in  the  most  ancient  and 
best  versions  of  the  Scriptures.  It  is  in  some,  *  Christy' 
and  in  some,  ^Lord:*  So  that  the  true  reading,  no 
doubt,  is,  '*  to  feed  the  church  of  the  Lord  (that  is, 
Cl.rist)  which  \\q  has  purchased  with  his  own  blood." 

The  doxoiogies  used  by  the  Apostles,  we  iliink,  will 


go  to  support  our  views  and  constructions  of  Scripture 
on  the  subject  here  considered  ;  and  to  shew  that  Trin- 
itarian doxologies  are  without  example  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament. "Now  unto  him  who  is  of  power  to  estabUsh 
yO'jL  according  to  my  Gospel,  to  God  only  wise,  be 
glory,  through,  (or  by)  Jesus  Christ  forever."  Rom. 
xvi.  25,  23.  "  Thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the 
victory  through^  (or  by )  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  I.  Cor. 
XV.  d7,  "  Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  all  mercies,  and  the  God  of  all 
comfort."  IL  Cor.  i.  3.  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Fa- 
ther of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with 
all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  things  in  (or  by) 
Christ."  Eph  i.  3.  Now  unto  him  who  is  able  to  do 
exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think, 
according  to  the  power  which  worketh  in  us,  unto  him 
be  glory  in  the  Church  by  Jesus  Christ,  throughout  all 
ages."  Eph.  iii.  20.  "We  give  thanks  to  God,  even 
the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Chriiit."  Col.  i.  3. 
"  Now  unto  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the 
only  wise  God,  be  honor  and  glory  forever."  L  Tim. 
i.  17.  "  To  him,  who  in  his  time  shall  manifest  or  shew 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  to  him  who  is  the  blessed  and 
only  potentate,  the  Lord  of  Lords  and  King  of  Kings, 
&c.  be  honor  and  power  everlasting."  Tim.  vi.  15,  16. 
"  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who,  according  to  his  abundant  mercy,  hath  be- 
gotten us  to  a  living  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Christ 
from  the  dead."  L  Pet.  i.  3.  "  The  God  of  all  grace, 
who  hath  called  us  to  his  eternal  glory  by  Jesus  Christ, 
make  you  perfect,  &c.  to  him  be  glory,  dominion  and 
power."  I.  Pet.  v.  10.  "  Blessing  and  honor  and  glo- 
ry and  power  be  ascribed  (from  all  creatures)  to  him  who 
sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and 


S4 

ever."  Rev.  v.  13.  "Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  I'aiihlui 
and  true  witness,  the  first  begotten  from  the  dead,  and 
the  Prince  of  the  Kings  of  the  earth  ;  unto  him  wlio  lov- 
ed us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and 
hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God,  e^  en  his  Fa- 
ther ;  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever." 
Rev.  i.  5,  6. 

We  know  not  how  the  Socinian  can  reconcile  some 
of  these  passages  with  his  peculiar  creed ;  but  we  are 
concerned,  now,  only  to  observe  and  insist,  that  they  are 
wholly  and  decidedly  contrary  to  the  Trinitarian  scheme. 
We  will  not  undertake,  however,  to  censure  and  con- 
demn those  who  may  differ  from  the  opinions  advanced 
above,  and  the  representation  here  given.  We  wish  well 
to  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity — who 
receive  him  as  the  Messiah  divinely  commissioned  to 
instruct  and  save  the  world,  and  who  make  his  Gospel 
the  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  We  are  desirous  only 
that  the  spirit  of  Sectarianism,  of  dogmatism,  and 
of  censoriousness,  which  some  discover,  may  be  abated  ; 
and  that  disputes  and  differences  on  mysterious  and 
speculative  topics,  may  be  merged  in  a  charitable,  hum- 
ble disposition,  and  an  enlightened  zeal  to  spread  the 
gospel  throughout  the  Heathen  world.  By  our  fellow 
men,  (whether  believers  or  unbelievers  ,)  and  by  our 
Maker,  we  shall  be  judged,  not  according,  to  our  pro- 
fessions merely,  or  the  ntimber  and  mysteriousness  of 
the  articles  of  our  faith  ;  but  by  our  benevolence  and 
candor,  by  our  piety,  and   moral  virtues. 

END. 


ERRATJj.  Pi\ge  1 1th,  5  lines  from  bottom,  after  the  word  Bible,  should  be 
DO  period.  Page  I2tli,  3  lines  from  bottom  after  &c.  no  period.  Page  14lh,  8 
lines  from  top  read  unscriptural. 


